Amazing Gorilla Fun Facts You Probably Didn’t Know
Welcome back to our blog! This week we’re learning all about gorillas. Gorillas are really cool animals, and today, we’re going to learn some of the most awesome things about them. These fantastic creatures will surprise you with their behaviors. There’s so much to learn from their incredible strength to their social groups!
And remember to check out The Ultimate Gorilla Book for Kids. It’s full of gorilla fun facts and all the other good educational stuff, too. Let’s start this wild journey!
Fact 1: Gorillas Share 98% of Their DNA with Humans
Did you know that gorillas share about 98% of their DNA with humans? This makes them one of our closest relatives in the animal kingdom. We are really similar to these amazing creatures! This genetic similarity shows how closely connected we are. Gorillas and humans had a common ancestor millions of years ago, which explains why our DNA is so alike. This means that studying gorillas can help us understand human evolution and behaviors.
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Fact 2: Incredible Strength
Gorillas are super strong. They can lift up to 10 times their body weight—that’s like a person lifting a small car. Their amazing strength helps them climb trees and protect their families. This strength is really important for their survival. It helps them gather food and fight off predators. Gorillas get their strong muscles from their lifestyle, which includes a lot of physical activity like climbing trees, looking for food, and playing with other gorillas. Their diet, full of plants, also helps them stay strong.
Fact 3: Family Life in Troops
Gorillas live in family groups called troops. A troop usually has one dominant male, several females, and their kids. The dominant male called a silverback, leads and protects the group. These family structures are really important for their social interactions and survival. The silverback makes decisions for the troop, solves fights, and leads them to food. Female gorillas also play a big role by taking care of the young, teaching them, and keeping social bonds strong through grooming and companionship.
Fact 4: Herbivorous Diet
Gorillas are herbivores, which means they eat plants. They mainly eat leaves, stems, fruit, and bamboo. They spend a lot of time eating to get all the nutrients they need. This plant-based diet is really important for their health. They have a special digestive system that allows them to break down tough plant fibers and get the nutrients they need. Gorillas also eat soil and ash to get minerals that might be missing from their usual food.
Fact 5: Adorable Baby Gorillas
Baby gorillas are super cute. They are born weighing about four pounds and rely entirely on their mothers. They start walking at around three to six months old and love playing and exploring. These early stages are critical for their learning and development. Young gorillas are very curious and learn by watching and copying others. They observe older troop members and imitate their actions, which helps them learn survival skills. Mother’s care is essential during the first few years, ensuring the baby gets enough food and protection.
Fact 6: Impressive Communication Skills
Gorillas have really good communication skills. They use sounds, gestures, and facial expressions to talk to each other. They can even laugh, cry, and show emotions like humans. This ability to communicate is vital to their social interactions. Gorillas’ sounds range from grunts and hoots to roars and barks, each with a specific purpose, like finding troop members or warning of danger. Body language, like chest-beating or waving arms, also plays a big role in how they communicate.
Fact 7: Iconic Chest Beating
One of the most famous gorilla behaviors is chest beating. Males usually do this to show dominance or scare off threats. The sound can be heard from far away and is really impressive. Would it scare you off if you saw it in the wild? This behavior is important for their social dynamics and for defending their territory. Chest beating in gorillas also involves sounds and postures. It serves as a warning to rivals and a display for females. The drumming sound is made louder by the hollow spot in their chest, making it effective over long distances.
25 Bonus Fast Gorilla Fun Facts!
Prepare to be amazed with even more incredible insights about gorillas! Here are 25 quick, fun facts about gorillas that will deepen your appreciation and fascination for these majestic creatures:
1. Gorillas make new beds from vegetation each night, creating nests either on the ground or in trees.
2. Gorillas can live up to 50 years in captivity, though they usually live around 35-40 years in the wild.
3. Gorillas typically walk on all fours using their knuckles for support, known as “knuckle-walking.”
4. Gorillas can use tools like sticks to gauge water depth or extract tasty ants from a log.
5. Gorillas have over 25 different vocalizations used to communicate within their troop.
6. Just like humans, each gorilla has unique fingerprints.
7. Gorillas can express a range of emotions, including happiness, sadness, and even sorrow.
8. Gorillas are one of the few animals with color vision, helping them select ripe fruits.
9. Gorillas demonstrate strong memory, particularly for routes and food locations.
10. Young gorillas often engage in play, which helps them learn social and physical skills.
11. Besides humans, adult gorillas have no natural predators.
12. While primarily herbivorous, gorillas occasionally eat small insects or grubs.
13. Gorillas rarely drink water as they consume succulent vegetation that is comprised of almost half water.
14. Some adult male gorillas choose a solitary life, leaving their family groups when they reach maturity.
15. Gorillas can communicate over long distances using a deep, resonant call known as a “far call.”
16. While generally peaceful, gorillas can defend their territory vigorously if provoked.
17. Gorilla mothers care intensely for their young for several years, teaching them necessary survival skills.
18. Gorillas have long eyelashes that help protect their eyes from debris.
19. Gorillas are diurnal, meaning they are active during the day and rest at night.
20. Despite their powerful build, gorillas are known for their gentle and shy nature.
21. Each gorilla troop has a unique dynamic, often led by the oldest and strongest silverback.
22. Gorillas have a highly developed sense of smell, which helps them detect food and potential dangers.
23. Gorillas’ feet are so similar to their hands that they can grasp and carry items with them.
24. Young gorillas often climb trees, but adults do so less frequently as their weight increases.
25. Most gorilla species are classified as endangered or critically endangered due to habitat loss and poaching.
The Ultimate Gorilla Book for Kids
Want even more amazing gorilla fun facts?! Then you’re in for a treat! Check out ‘The Ultimate Gorilla Book for Kids’, featuring features beautiful photos, unbelievable gorilla fun facts, and even a quiz and puzzle to test your knowledge! It’s the must-have companion for young gorilla fans. Order your copy here.
And if you’re looking to learn more about other animals, we have a whole range of exciting animal fact books for kids. Check out our selection!
We’re also on social media. We regularly share free book giveaways and all the latest news about our new releases. If you join us over on YouTube we also post weekly animal fact videos – it’s a lot of fun! Hope to see you there.
